Chapter 161 to 169

…

Damn it!

Bloody Mary's face turned pale as she watched helplessly. Abomination's pace shifted from a slow walk to a full sprint, his massive form barreling toward her with terrifying speed. Cruelty gleamed in his yellow pupils, his face twisted into a savage expression.

Mary gritted her teeth. The gravitational field she controlled—strong enough to crush an armed vehicle—had no effect on this monster. Abomination had adapted to it in a disturbingly short amount of time.

Boom!

Abomination paid no mind to Mary's mounting fear. Charging forward, he defied the crushing gravity as if it were nothing, leaving deep, dented footprints in the asphalt with every step. His monstrous fist swung toward Mary with devastating force.

Reacting instantly, Mary canceled her gravity ability and conjured a transparent spiritual shield in front of herself.

Bang!

The impact of Abomination's massive fist against the spiritual shield echoed like a cannon blast. A wave of air erupted in all directions, forcing Mary back by about a meter. Despite managing to block the blow, she didn't feel relieved.

The sheer power of that punch had pushed her shield to its breaking point. She could sense the cracks spidering through its structure—it wouldn't hold against another hit. And Abomination wasn't stopping.

With rage boiling over, Abomination saw Mary's defiance as an insult. He swung again, unleashing a terrifying punch that shattered the spiritual shield completely. The force of the blow generated a massive gust of wind that slammed into Mary before she could fully dodge.

Though she avoided a direct hit, the wind pressure shredded her jacket, leaving her in a white T-shirt. The sheer force sent her tumbling across the ground, rolling until she collided with a billboard railing.

"Hell… that power and speed," Mary muttered, leaning heavily against the railing. Pain radiated from her right shoulder, and as she touched it, she realized the bone had been crushed by the shockwave. She shuddered to think what would have happened if she'd taken the punch directly.

For all his size and bulk, Abomination possessed explosive speed and strength that defied logic. His raw physicality outmatched anything she'd faced. Her mind might be quick enough to anticipate his moves, but her body simply couldn't keep up.

Barely escaping his last attack, Mary knew she was severely injured. She couldn't win this fight—this monster was far beyond her ability to handle.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath. She wanted to flee, her instincts screaming for survival. But she was the one Abomination had fixated on. There was no way he would let her escape so easily.

Roar~~

Abomination let out a deafening roar, a declaration of his strength, before turning and charging at Bloody Mary. He raised his massive fist, ready to strike.

Meanwhile, in the rubble of the nearby merchandise store, Peter Parker finally managed to break free. He stood up abruptly, shaking off debris, and scanned his surroundings. His eyes locked onto the scene of Abomination rushing toward Bloody Mary, fist poised to deliver a devastating blow.

In that moment of crisis, Peter instinctively extended his hands to fire his webs—but nothing happened. His abilities still wouldn't activate. Helpless, he could only watch as Abomination's fist came closer and closer to Mary.

"No!" Peter shouted, his voice trembling with anger and desperation.

High above, in the helicopter, Bruce Banner leaned against the interior for support. Ignoring Betty's protests and the conflicted gaze of General Ross, he mustered his remaining strength and leaped from the helicopter toward the ground.

But even his intervention was too late.

Boom!!

A thunderous crash erupted—not from Bruce's landing, but from Abomination's halted punch.

Bloody Mary stood frozen, her wide eyes fixed on the figure that had suddenly appeared in front of her. The air around them was thick with turbulence, whipping her black trench coat and curling her burgundy hair.

The figure was slender and tall, and what was most shocking—her left hand was raised, palm out, stopping Abomination's earth-shattering punch with ease. The ground beneath her cracked under the force, but her stance remained firm; she didn't take a single step back.

Between Abomination's massive fist and her delicate palm, a wave of energy erupted with violent intensity. The shockwave shattered nearby store windows and sent vehicles tumbling. Car alarms blared in a chaotic symphony of destruction.

It was Natasha Romanoff.

Her sudden appearance not only saved Bloody Mary but also caught the attention of many who had been watching.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters

In the control room of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters, Nick Fury stood before a massive screen, watching the scene unfold in real time through surveillance footage. For once, a rare smile crossed his usually cold, stoic face.

"Finally, Natasha Romanoff has appeared," Fury said, his voice tinged with satisfaction.

Maria Hill, standing nearby, couldn't help but notice Fury's uncharacteristic expression. It wasn't often that anyone at S.H.I.E.L.D. saw him smile—especially not with genuine happiness.

Hill understood, though. She knew exactly what Natasha's sudden appearance meant. It signified that the years Fury had spent chasing leads and unraveling mysteries surrounding the elusive entity were finally bearing fruit.

"Natasha's emergence proves it," Hill said, her gaze fixed on the screen. "That hidden organization you've been tracking… it's real."

"Yes," Fury replied, his smile lingering. "And it's more powerful than we imagined. They've been like ghosts—living among us, yet impossible to find. Until now."

Hill's attention returned to the screen, where Natasha stood in a stalemate with Abomination. The sharp contrast between her elegant, delicate appearance and the monstrous strength she displayed was mesmerizing.

"It's unimaginable," Hill murmured in disbelief. "That someone with her frame holds the power of a beast… no, something far more terrifying."

Anyone witnessing this scene would find it utterly unbelievable—an almost surreal visual contradiction.

Abomination, towering over two meters tall and weighing nearly a thousand pounds, resembled a massive beast, larger and more imposing than a brown bear. In stark contrast, Natasha, standing at just 1.8 meters with a slender frame, seemed impossibly small in comparison.

The disparity created a striking visual conflict. By all logic and instinct, Natasha's comparatively petite form should have been sent flying like a ragdoll under the force of such a blow. Yet here she stood, effortlessly halting a punch that could level buildings, defying every expectation.

…

"According to calculations, the monster's one-arm strength exceeds two hundred tons, yet this Natasha was able to block it with one arm without taking a step back. For someone to achieve this, their strength, body, bones, muscle control, and other factors must have reached an absolutely incredible level."

"Sir, wasn't this person linked to a spy organization a few years ago?" Hill tilted her head slightly as she asked.

Fury nodded. "SHIELD received a tip about a spy nicknamed 'Black Widow' who infiltrated high-ranking officials in various countries, stealing classified documents. I sent Barton on a covert mission to track her down."

"But he missed her," Fury continued, his tone darkening. "According to the clues back then, the Black Widow defected from the spy organization, was hunted down, and then vanished without a trace. Both our agents and those from the spy organization searched extensively, but we found no leads."

"This means she was just an ordinary person at that time," Hill said, crossing her arms while pointing at the large screen with her index finger. "But now, she's gone from being a spy who evaded Barton to someone capable of blocking a force of over two hundred tons with one arm. A woman with that level of strength is far from ordinary."

"This isn't some random mutation," Hill added firmly. As a top agent, she knew the intricacies of combat and power. "To withstand and redirect such force, it's not just about raw strength—you need to have mastered the skills to use it efficiently. That kind of ability doesn't come from luck or innate talent alone. It requires years of rigorous training to harness and control such overwhelming muscle power."

Fury narrowed his eyes as Hill continued. "Natasha's transformation—from a spy to someone of this caliber in just a few years—is terrifying. If she's been trained to this level, what about the other members of the organization behind her? There's no way they're mere amateurs."

Fury understood Hill's concerns, but his thoughts went deeper. He turned his gaze to the massive screen in front of him, where Natasha's image was displayed, her face magnified to the point where every detail was striking. Her beauty was undeniable, but there was something even more captivating—and unsettling—about her expression.

"What are you hiding?" Fury murmured to himself.

As if in response, Natasha's eyes shifted, almost as though she could see through the screen itself. Her sharp, piercing gaze seemed to cut through the layers of technology and stare directly into the room. It was a look so intense, so calculated, that even seasoned agents found themselves instinctively turning away, unable to meet her eyes.

Even Fury, a man who rarely showed vulnerability, felt a flicker of discomfort under her gaze.

Fury resisted the uneasy feeling creeping up his spine, frowning as he stared at the eyes displayed on the big screen. For some reason, he couldn't shake the impression that those eyes were looking straight at him—arrogant, domineering, as if mocking or teasing him and his team.

But Fury said nothing, watching quietly.

Their silent standoff didn't last long. Abomination, now completely enraged, snapped Fury out of his thoughts.

As the mutated version of Emil Blonsky, whose personality was amplified by the serum coursing through him, Abomination embodied Blonsky's worst traits—conceit, cruelty, and an unshakable belief in his superiority. He thought himself the most powerful being alive.

And yet, a woman had just blocked his attack with a single hand.

Hatred boiled in his massive frame. His glowing eyes narrowed as he exhaled a scorching breath through his bloodied mouth, snarling like a wild beast.

"I'm going to tear you apart!"

His voice roared like a feral storm, seething with violence and shaking the very air. Abomination reared back and swung his colossal fist forward, pouring every ounce of his overwhelming strength into the blow.

But Natasha was ready. She stepped back slightly, planting her left foot firmly while her right foot swept out with blistering speed and precision, like lightning striking the earth.

Boom!

Her kick landed squarely on Abomination's chest, unleashing a massive shockwave that sent ripples through the air. The force was immense, propelling the monstrous figure backward like a cannonball.

Abomination flew thousands of meters, smashing through shopping malls, walls, and buildings in his path before finally slamming into a large apartment complex. The structure crumbled under his weight, collapsing into a pile of rubble that buried him entirely.

Natasha calmly retracted her leg, standing poised amidst the chaos. The glow of distant flames illuminated her figure, casting her in a light that was both ethereal and commanding, like a modern-day Valkyrie.

The onlookers—police officers clutching their pistols and curious bystanders drawn to the spectacle—were utterly stunned.

"Did I just see that? She kicked that monster away with one strike!"

"Incredible... What kind of power does it take to do something like that?"

"She's not just beautiful; she's terrifyingly strong. That combination... it's perfect. If I could, I'd chase after her in a heartbeat."

"Don't even think about it, man," another muttered, shaking his head. "You might have muscles, but if you tick her off, you won't survive one hit from those legs. You'd go straight to the morgue."

"Is she... a goddess?"

There was no doubt. To those watching, Natasha had conquered them—not just with her beauty, but with the staggering power she displayed against a creature as monstrous as Abomination.

The striking contrast between her charm and her raw, overwhelming strength made her allure almost otherworldly. Among the crowd, especially those devoted to fitness and strength, admiration for her became instant obsession.

The policemen were stunned but also breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The pressure of fighting the Abomination had been overwhelming. Many of their comrades had fallen in the line of duty, and the thought of continuing the battle seemed unbearable. If not for their professional ethics, some of them might have abandoned the fight entirely. At one point, the urge to flee had almost overtaken them.

Thankfully, their persistence paid off when reinforcements arrived. Although the help was far from what they had expected, none of that mattered. Survival was the only thing on their minds.

They didn't care who Natasha was—whether she was a superhero or even a supervillain. Her appearance had turned the tide of the battle and, more importantly, ensured none of them had to make the ultimate sacrifice.

As for Natasha, she seemed entirely indifferent to the comments and admiration of the bystanders. She didn't even glance at the rubble where she had kicked Abomination away. Instead, her sharp gaze shifted to something—or someone—on the other side.

…

On a street a few hundred meters away, a massive figure emerged from the haze, chest heaving and breathing heavily.

With a size and bulk that rivaled Abomination, green skin, thick legs, and bulging muscles, his physique was the very ideal fitness enthusiasts dreamed of. This green giant was none other than the Hulk, the transformed alter ego of Bruce Banner, who had leaped from a helicopter in the sky.

But something was different about the Hulk this time. He looked weak, as though he had just woken up.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

His appearance immediately drew the attention of everyone nearby. Taking heavy, deliberate steps, the Hulk slowly approached Natasha. Once close enough, he lowered his massive head slightly, staring at her with glowing emerald-green eyes.

"Hey there, big guy. Having a good night?"

Most people would have been paralyzed with fear when faced with such a ferocious monster. But Natasha didn't flinch. Instead, she greeted him with kindness and gentleness, her tone calm and inviting.

The Hulk's expression shifted, showing something unexpected: curiosity.

Ever since the Hulk had gained self-awareness, his encounters with people had always been the same—he was treated like a monster. The "little bugs," as he called them, constantly attacked him with their weapons, trying to harm or drive him away.

Hulk didn't understand why. He was powerful, yes, but his anger and instincts were what drove him to lash out. It wasn't aggression for its own sake—it was fear and insecurity.

Hulk felt unsafe. The world seemed to hate and fear him, recoiling in disgust at his mere presence. Every time he appeared, people screamed, ran, or attacked him with everything they had. Even Bruce Banner, the other consciousness within him, hated him.

This deep-seated rejection made the Hulk feel like he didn't belong in this world. The only way he could fill that void of insecurity was through destruction, an act that gave him a fleeting sense of control.

But tonight was different.

For the first time, someone was addressing him with a gentle voice, a kind expression, and a calm attitude. Natasha wasn't looking at him with fear or loathing. She was... inviting him into a conversation.

The Hulk froze in place, unsure how to respond. This feeling was entirely new to him.

His breathing slowed as he carefully observed the woman in front of him, a trace of curiosity and even trust beginning to bloom in his gaze.

Natasha noticed this shift and smiled warmly. Her tone was light and encouraging as she spoke again.

"Hey, big guy, what's your name?"

The Hulk tilted his head slightly, his massive frame relaxing just a little. He hesitated for a moment, then answered, carefully controlling his voice to avoid scaring her.

"Hulk."

Natasha's smile grew even gentler. "Hey, Mr. Hulk, welcome to this world."

Facing Natasha, who radiated genuine kindness, Hulk felt his uncontrollable anger subside. A rare smile spread across his massive face. He didn't fully understand the concepts of good or evil, but his animal instincts told him one thing clearly: Natasha wasn't afraid of him, nor did she harbor the disgust others always showed.

Hulk liked this feeling. For the first time, he didn't feel like the world's outcast.

Making a decision, Hulk slowly extended his enormous hand toward Natasha and said cautiously, "Hulk!"

Though his speech was limited, his gesture was clear. Natasha understood immediately. Smiling, she reached out her soft, delicate hand and placed it in Hulk's massive palm. The two shook hands.

"Hulk," he repeated, his voice softer this time.

As he withdrew his hand, Hulk grinned widely, a joyful expression lighting up his face. To an onlooker, he might have seemed like a massive, innocent child. Natasha's gentle smile remained, unfazed by the sight of this destructive giant showing such simple happiness.

She wasn't surprised at all by how quickly they had connected. The unique ability granted to her by the Shenwense allowed her to exude unfiltered kindness, breaking through the barriers of fear and mistrust that most people couldn't overcome. Even if others had tried, their natural fear of the Hulk would have betrayed them.

Hulk, for all his destructive power, was just a child at heart—emotional, longing for acceptance, and deeply hurt by years of rejection. The relentless military pursuit had taught him to hate even the faintest hints of fear or disgust directed at him. But Natasha was different.

She didn't fear him. In fact, in her own way, she was an even greater force than the Hulk.

This moment of harmony between the two stunned onlookers.

Above, gunships hovered in the sky, broadcasting the scene to General Ross and Betty Ross below. Betty, Bruce Banner's lover, watched with a look of relief and warmth. But General Ross was speechless, his disbelief plain as day.

In Ross's mind, the Hulk was supposed to be the ultimate warrior—the pinnacle of super-soldier perfection. A being like that shouldn't have emotions.

To Ross, the Hulk was meant to embody pure rage, destruction, and bloodlust. Yet here he was, smiling like a child because of a woman.

"This is impossible!" Ross muttered, his voice shaking with disbelief.

Before he could process further, a thunderous roar shattered the moment.

Abomination had broken free from the rubble where Natasha had kicked him. Emerging in a violent rage, he smashed through buildings as he advanced. His hateful orange eyes locked onto Hulk, who stood protectively in front of Natasha.

For a moment, Abomination froze, clearly taken aback by the sight of Hulk standing there so peacefully. But the shock didn't last. Excitement and fury twisted his face into a manic grin.

"Hulk, kill you!" Abomination bellowed. "Then the world will know I am the most powerful warrior!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Abomination's heavy steps thundered as he charged forward, ready to unleash chaos once more.

Abomination spread his massive arms, his powerful legs propelling him forward with explosive energy. Like a heavy tank, he charged directly at the Hulk, his movements radiating cold and cruel killing intent.

The sudden surge of hostility caught Hulk's attention. He spun around abruptly, his emerald-green pupils locking onto the massive figure barreling toward him.

Something primal stirred deep within Hulk—instincts buried in his blood and genes came alive. The cheerful, childlike demeanor he had just displayed dissolved, replaced by raw, violent energy.

Hulk hesitated only for a split second, not out of fear but out of concern for Natasha. He didn't want the fight to hurt his newfound friend. Letting out a deafening roar, Hulk made his decision. Planting his feet firmly, he opened his arms and charged headlong at Abomination.

The collision of two monsters, each towering over two meters tall and weighing nearly a thousand pounds, was a scene beyond imagination—a clash of titans that shook the very earth.

Boom!

Both Abomination and Hulk moved with speeds that seemed impossible for beings of their size and mass. In mere seconds, their massive frames collided with incredible force inside a shopping mall already ravaged by the earlier battle.

The impact unleashed a shockwave that rippled through the area, shattering every piece of glass in the mall. Shards and debris rained down from above, covering the ground in a chaotic mess.

Yet amidst the destruction, neither Hulk nor Abomination flinched. The glass shards and rubble seemed inconsequential against their impenetrable forms.

Standing amidst the chaos, the two monsters locked eyes, their gazes filled with raw power and unrelenting determination.

…

Boom!

On the first floor of the shopping mall, darkness engulfed everything. Only faint wisps of light spilled in through the massive holes in the front and back walls. High above, helicopters hovered, their spotlights cutting through the dust and smoke. Amidst the chaos, two massive figures were locked in a ferocious battle, their forms barely visible through the haze.

Each collision of punches and kicks sounded like detonations. Fists slammed into flesh, and the impact rippled outward like shockwaves, sending debris and air surging in every direction. Blood splattered with each devastating blow.

The crowd watching from a safe distance held their breath, mesmerized by the inhuman battle unfolding before their eyes. Each onlooker's face bore a different expression—fear, awe, or silent calculation.

Across the street, Natasha observed the scene, a slight smirk playing on her lips. Whatever thoughts crossed her mind seemed to amuse her. Suddenly, a faint noise stirred behind her. Without turning around, she spoke, her voice cool and sharp:

"If I were you, I'd stay put. Half the bones in your body are already shattered, and your cells are barely holding on. Sure, your self-healing ability is impressive, but push yourself any further, and there's a good chance it'll kill you."

She paused, her tone hardening. "And don't think for a second I'd bother collecting your body."

Behind her, a figure staggered into view. Bloody Mary clung to the railing of a damaged billboard, her body trembling. Blood dripped from her mouth as she struggled to stand, her other hand clutching her injured arm. Wisps of faint blue light shimmered around her fingertips as she whispered hoarsely,

"I finally found you. Even if it kills me, I'll find him."

Boom!

The ground shook violently once more. The two monstrous fighters crashed upward, smashing through to the second floor of the shopping mall. Natasha's gaze never wavered, her voice calm and detached.

"Give it up, girl. If he doesn't want to be found, you'll never track him down—not in this lifetime." She glanced briefly over her shoulder, adding, "Even if you join S.H.I.E.L.D., it won't make a difference. But let me offer you some advice: S.H.I.E.L.D. is a good place for now—for you and the child."

Her cryptic words hung in the air, and they were not spoken only for Bloody Mary. Back at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Nick Fury and Maria Hill were listening in real time. Fury's single eye glinted with a flicker of interest, though his thoughts remained unreadable.

Bloody Mary, however, ignored Natasha's warning. Her voice, raw and filled with fanaticism, cut through the din:

"I was born from violence. Madness, killing, and power—they're in my blood. I thrive on them."

She drew a ragged breath, her eyes blazing. "For me, Kingpin was the one. A man worth following. Strong, ruthless, unstoppable. A god in his own right."

Her voice broke slightly as she continued, "But that night... you destroyed everything."

She took an unsteady step forward, her voice trembling with anger and obsession. "Do you even know what you did? To me, he was like a god—untouchable, unstoppable. And I... I was nothing. Just an insect under his heel. He crushed me without a second thought, without even looking back. I was nothing more than an ant to him. But you... you changed all of that."

"And Kingpin—just one look, one tone—his stern and irresistible aura of domination could penetrate an entire building. Yet, in that moment, the once-arrogant Kingpin knelt before him."

Bloody Mary's eyes glinted as she spoke, her voice steady with conviction. "From that moment on, I knew Kingpin was no longer worthy of my loyalty."

She let out a bitter laugh. "Both Kingpin and S.H.I.E.L.D. think I betrayed him. But they don't understand—it wasn't betrayal. My nature is to follow strength. When I judged Kingpin as no longer someone worthy of following, I left him. It's just who I am."

There was something feral in her tone, a raw intensity that matched the wildness of her spirit. Bloody Mary was less a person and more an untamable beast. When she held power, she hunted at will, unstoppable and merciless. But when faced with someone more powerful, her instincts drove her to submit entirely, to become the most loyal of followers—even a slave.

Natasha remained silent for a moment, then subtly tilted her chin, gesturing toward the two monsters locked in combat on the second floor of the mall.

"They're both powerful," Natasha remarked.

Bloody Mary's lips curled in disdain. "They're nothing more than mindless beasts. And beasts aren't worthy of my loyalty."

Her words were sharp, laced with the scorn of someone who had lived among power and knew its many faces. Bloody Mary had tasted the raw strength of hatred before. She acknowledged its terrifying force but dismissed it as nothing more than mindless bloodlust—a beast's power, not a king's.

And she had seen a true king.

"Do you know what true power looks like?" she said, her voice softening into something almost reverent. "I've seen it. A real king doesn't need words to command. His presence alone can shatter an entire dynasty, like Kingpin's building that day. That kind of majesty, that kind of domination—it's not something you forget. After witnessing that, everyone else is just... strong. But strength without majesty? It's meaningless. There's no draw. No allure."

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Natasha tilted her head slightly, considering the woman before her. Crazy? Yes. But her reasoning, Natasha thought with a wry smile, was disturbingly clear.

She turned around, her sharp gaze sweeping up and down Bloody Mary, studying her intently.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The ground shook violently as the battle continued to rage in the distance. The vibrations rattled through the air, but Natasha seemed unfazed. Her scrutiny, however, made Bloody Mary shift uncomfortably.

"What are you thinking about?" Bloody Mary snapped, irritation evident in her tone.

Natasha smirked faintly, tilting her head. "I have to say, you're crazy enough, and I like the way you think. Unfortunately, your body is... too special."

Bloody Mary's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Do you think my multiple personalities will stop me from following him?"

Her lips twisted into a cold smile. "I can kill them all."

Natasha raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth twitching with amusement. "That won't be necessary. I think he might come back for you someday—but not today."

As if punctuating her words, a deafening roar erupted from the mall. Suddenly, a massive green figure shot through the air like a cannonball, hurtling straight toward Natasha with astonishing speed.

Bloody Mary's expression shifted instantly, and she prepared to unleash her power.

But Natasha didn't even flinch. Without so much as a glance behind her, she calmly extended the palm of her right hand.

Bang!

Hulk's back collided with her outstretched hand, the force of his immense kinetic energy meeting an immovable object. The impact was deafening, and a tremendous gust of wind exploded from the point of contact, whipping Natasha's trench coat into a frenzy. The ground beneath her feet cracked wide, spiderweb fractures spreading across the surface.

And yet, Natasha didn't move an inch.

Hulk sat on the ground, defeated, his massive frame slumped. His scarred face and weary eyes gave him the look of someone who'd endured too much. He glanced at Natasha, a mix of frustration and embarrassment on his face—clearly, he'd taken a beating from Abomination.

Natasha turned toward him, her expression softening into a gentle smile. "You haven't been sleeping well, Hulk," she said soothingly. "And you've been exposed to too much smoke and green-cell contamination. You're still weak. It's normal that you couldn't beat me today."

Her tone shifted to a light tease. "Let your sister handle your revenge for now."

Hulk's eyes lit up, and he nodded with an almost childlike happiness. But before the moment could settle, a massive steel pipe came hurtling from the second floor of the mall. It spun through the air like a colossal bolt from a siege crossbow, brimming with lethal force.

The crowd braced for impact, but Natasha remained unfazed. Just as the pipe was about to hit, she raised her hand and lazily flicked her index finger.

Boom!

In an instant, a blazing blue slash, nearly a hundred meters long, ripped through the air. It sliced the steel pipe into fragments and shot forward, tearing through the shattered floor-to-ceiling windows and toward the second floor of the mall.

The slash roared toward Abomination, who stood arrogantly in its path. Confidence radiated from his massive form as he raised his fist, intent on breaking the deadly energy with brute force.

Boom!

The fist and the blue slash collided with a thunderous crash. The ground trembled violently beneath the force of the impact, cracks spidering outward like a web of destruction.

…

The entire neighborhood trembled as fists collided with azure slashes, their impact erupting into bursts of brilliant light. The dark streets lit up with layers of vibrant, dazzling patterns that danced across the night.

But beauty often signifies extreme danger, a truth painfully evident to everyone watching this scene unfold.

Abomination, the hulking monster impervious to bullets and heavy artillery, found himself struggling against the radiant blue slash. His massive body was forced back, his feet dragging across the ground as he slid involuntarily. The devastating 100-meter vertical slash continued its relentless path, slicing through the entire mall building, leaving a trail of sparks and destruction in its wake.

Abomination roared in frustration and fury, his voice echoing through the shattered streets. He had believed himself to be the ultimate super-soldier, an unstoppable force. And yet, here he was—pushed back by a single woman's casual flick of a finger.

It was a humiliation he couldn't bear.

Seething with rage, Abomination braced himself with his left hand against the ground. He raised his massive right arm, muscles bulging grotesquely, veins popping as if his body could barely contain its power. With a deafening roar, he unleashed another devastating punch.

Bang!!

A punch with all his strength finally disrupted the blazing slash. In an instant, blue sparks erupted across the sky like a cascade of fireworks, dazzling and violent. But Abomination—thrown back by the force—was driven into the second floor of the building. Walls, floors, and ceilings were sliced cleanly in half, and the severed circuits erupted in a shower of dense, crackling sparks.

Abomination stood still, chest heaving, eyes burning with rage. He didn't move.

What... is this?

The thought echoed in his mind. Not just his mind, though—everyone watching this moment shared his disbelief.

The police frozen in shock. Passers-by gaping in the streets. General Ross on the helicopter gunship hovering above, alongside Betty, staring in stunned silence. Even the government, military, and shadowy institutions monitoring from their remote locations.

Everyone asked the same question: What just happened?

And as the realization dawned, many of them scrambled into action, desperate to uncover Natasha Romanoff's identity.

Was this the ability of a mutant?

Theories flew wildly. Strength and speed that far surpassed anything they'd seen—even more exaggerated than Abomination. She had overwhelmed him with a single blow and, in the same motion, cleaved through an entire shopping mall like it was nothing more than paper. It was terrifying—inhuman.

For the military, the government, and even the institutions used to dealing with the strange and supernatural, Natasha Romanoff was a nightmare that didn't fit into any known paradigm.

Even General Ross—seasoned, ruthless General Ross—felt his confidence shake. His life's work, the Super Soldier Serum, had cost him years of research, mountains of manpower, and endless resources. And what did it yield? A freak accident that turned Bruce Banner into the Hulk.

The Hulk had been a revelation for Ross—a symbol of untapped potential, of raw power that could change the world. And yet, here was Natasha, wielding a strength and skill that made everything Ross had sacrificed and struggled for seem... trivial.

The emergence of the Hulk had opened General Ross's eyes to a new possibility. To him, the Hulk was more than a destructive force—he was the ultimate template for a super soldier, raw and untouchable.

Driven by this belief, Ross had made sacrifices most wouldn't dare to consider. He had severed his relationship with his daughter, Betty, pouring years of his life into tracking and capturing Bruce Banner. His obsession knew no borders, even leading to arrests and international incidents. Yet, time after time, accidents derailed his efforts, and the Hulk escaped, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Each failure only fueled Ross's obsession. His anger burned brighter with every loss, every close call. To him, the Hulk wasn't just a problem—he was the solution, the epitome of what a super soldier could and should be.

But then Emil Blonsky had happened. A man desperate to surpass even the Hulk, Blonsky had recklessly injected himself with a sample of Hulk's blood. What resulted was Abomination—a grotesque mirror image of the Hulk, twisted by ambition and rage. From a combat standpoint, Abomination seemed, at first glance, to be the superior creation. A perfect, if horrifying, super soldier.

Until now.

Ross watched in disbelief as Natasha Romanoff—just a woman—suppressed Abomination with shocking ease. One hand, one strike, and Blonsky was overpowered. How? Why? The question roared in Ross's mind, louder than the hum of the gunships overhead. His eyes locked on Natasha as his thoughts raced, trying to piece together this impossible display of strength.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Behind Natasha, the Hulk, who had been sulking in relative silence, came to life with gleeful enthusiasm. His bestial instincts took over, and he pounded his chest in triumph. The sight of Abomination—who had bullied him relentlessly—brought low by Natasha filled him with raw joy. Hulk roared in primal celebration.

Meanwhile, Abomination dragged himself to the edge of the crumbling second floor. The gunship spotlights illuminated his monstrous form as he leapt down onto the street below. Slowly, he straightened, his towering figure casting a long shadow.

His hateful gaze flickered between the Hulk and Natasha. His expression contorted with rage, a growl rumbling deep in his throat.

Finally, his eyes settled on Natasha, and he spat out a question, venom dripping from every word:

"Who are you?"

"This has nothing to do with you. You bullied my friend," Natasha said calmly, her voice steady but sharp. Her words cut through the tension in the air. She repeated herself, this time with an edge of finality: "You bullied my friend. For that, you must be punished."

The Hulk, standing behind her, seemed visibly moved by her declaration, his massive form softening with a touch of gratitude.

Natasha tilted her head slightly, her tone shifting into something almost playful. "In addition," she continued, "you look like you'd make a perfect sparring partner. So, here's the deal—you've got two choices. Either you punch yourself out and faint like a good little monster... or I knock you out myself. What's it gonna be?"

The entire area fell into stunned silence. The only sound was the faint hum of the distant helicopters and the crackle of fires scattered throughout the battlefield.

Then, Abomination let out a booming, guttural laugh that echoed through the neighborhood, shaking windows and startling bystanders.

"Hahahaha! Are you kidding me, you stinking woman? You might be the strongest woman in the world, but that's all you are! You're the one who's worthy of being my sparring partner!"

With a deafening roar, Abomination threw his head back and opened his massive, bloody maw. The roar rippled outward in a shockwave, shaking the ground and compressing the air around them.

Natasha, however, had already read his move. The instant his jaw began to part, she shifted into action. She wasn't about to subject herself to his noxious breath. In a blur, she launched herself forward, her right foot hitting the ground with precision. Her figure vanished in an instant.

When she reappeared, she was already at Abomination's left side, her body poised like a coiled spring. She struck upwards with her right hand, landing a perfectly aimed blow to his chin.

Bang!

The impact reverberated through Abomination's massive frame, silencing his roar and leaving his head spinning. The force of the punch briefly disoriented him, but his warrior instincts kicked in. Blindly, he swung his massive fists in every direction, attempting to ward off Natasha's follow-up attack.

It was a good idea in theory, but in practice, it fell apart. Natasha moved like smoke, her lithe body weaving through his attacks with impossible precision. Each of his wild punches came close—but not close enough. She slipped past his every strike, just out of reach, as if she were no more than a shadow dancing at the edges of his vision.

The physical strength of Abomination seemed nearly limitless. His wild, random swings hardly drained his energy, and for most, even getting close enough to attack was a death sentence. Being struck by one of those punches was no different from being hit by a speeding train.

But from Natasha's perspective, it was all calculated—each move broken down into its vulnerabilities, every wild swing leaving a brief but critical opening. She clenched her right fist, her sharp eyes locking onto her target. Her left foot dug into the ground with such force that the pavement cracked beneath her. With explosive precision, she launched herself forward, her right fist driving straight for Abomination's chest.

Boom!

The impact was nothing short of earth-shattering. The sheer force—easily two hundred tons—slammed into Abomination's massive chest, sending him skidding backward. His feet barely touched the ground as they scraped across the pavement, carving deep gouges into the road that stretched for tens of meters.

When his momentum finally stopped, Abomination wobbled slightly, struggling to regain his footing. But Natasha wasn't finished.

The air around her exploded outward as she surged forward again. This time, she raised her right leg with pinpoint accuracy and aimed it directly at Abomination's head.

Boom!

The devastating kick twisted Abomination's face with its raw power, snapping his head and upper body violently to the side. The colossal creature toppled, his massive frame crashing toward the ground in the opposite direction.

…

Abomination's massive body leaned sideways at an alarming angle, nearly ninety degrees, staggering as if he were about to collapse. Even his ferocious eyes showed a flicker of confusion, betraying the sheer impact of the attack.

It was clear: the power behind that kick was terrifying. Despite his monstrous physical resilience, even Abomination struggled to withstand the blow. Yet the worst was yet to come. Dazed and off-balance, he became an open target for Natasha's relentless onslaught.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Determined to stand up for her newfound ally, Hulk, Natasha launched her next attack with merciless ferocity. Her punches and kicks came down like a tidal wave, pounding Abomination's colossal frame without respite. In mere seconds, her strikes numbered in the hundreds—perhaps thousands. Each blow packed a staggering force of at least two hundred tons, creating an awe-inspiring display of raw power.

With every impact, waves of air exploded outward, rippling through the battlefield and shaking the very earth beneath them. Natasha's windbreaker flared wildly in the chaos, and her burgundy hair glowed like a blazing flame in the night.

Abomination roared in frustration, unable to counter her assault. Reduced to shielding his head with his massive hands, he could only endure the relentless barrage. Natasha, undeterred, pressed her attack. Her slim frame belied the overwhelming strength she unleashed with every punch and kick, the explosive force tearing through layers of flesh and shattering the surrounding terrain.

Even Hulk, no stranger to destructive power, watched in stunned silence. The sheer brutality of Natasha's assault sent a visible shudder through his massive green frame.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Her energy seemed inexhaustible. Each blow drove Abomination back, knocking him to the ground time and again. Yet he stubbornly rose each time, only to be sent crashing down once more. The earth cracked and groaned beneath the punishment, with the surrounding terrain and the nearby mall reduced to rubble. It was destruction on an inhuman scale.

High above the chaos, in the dark skies over Virginia, a luxury private jet cruised through the night, its signal lights flickering faintly. Inside, Tony Stark, groggy and half-drunk, was jolted awake by the spectacle playing out on the large screen before him.

"What the hell?" Tony muttered, rubbing his eyes as his mind quickly sobered.

Seated nearby, Pepper Potts—Tony's personal secretary and now a prominent executive—stared at the screen in disbelief. Dressed in a sharp suit and short skirt, her long, elegantly crossed legs betrayed her composure. She covered her mouth with one hand, her voice tinged with astonishment.

"Oh my God," she whispered, her gaze fixed on the screen. "She's... incredible."

As a woman, Pepper understood all too well the physical disparities between men and women. Yet Natasha defied every expectation, unleashing a godlike display of strength that bordered on myth. In that moment, she didn't just resemble a warrior—she seemed like a Valkyrie descended from legend.

It was hard for her to imagine how a woman could possess such overwhelming power. Facing such a terrifying monster, her violent attacks left the opponent utterly unable to retaliate.

Even Jarvis, running on-site combat analysis, confirmed that each punch delivered by Natasha carried over 200 tons of force—and that number was steadily climbing.

How could a human, let alone a woman, achieve such monstrous strength? Tony Stark, who wasn't exactly an expert in biology but knew enough, found the answer baffling. Normally, human muscle tissue, bones, blood vessels, and internal organs are incapable of withstanding such forces. The principle of equal and opposite reaction would mean that exerting such strength would shred the body itself. Fragile human structures simply couldn't endure it—they would collapse into pulp before the punch was even thrown.

This could only mean one thing: Natasha's body possessed extraordinary physical qualities, far beyond what normal human biology could support. The question remained—how was that possible?

Tony, still sporting a faint blush from his earlier indulgence in alcohol, stared at the screen in awe. Natasha was a whirlwind of destruction, ruthlessly pummeling Abomination into submission. For once, he seemed genuinely at a loss. Breaking the silence, he muttered, "Jarvis, in my previous conversations with her… I didn't say anything disrespectful, did I?"

"Not at all, sir," Jarvis replied with a hint of humor. "You were remarkably restrained and, dare I say, tactful."

Tony let out a dry laugh, relief flickering across his face. "Well, that's something to be thankful for."

He chuckled nervously, his mind wandering back to their interactions. Given his usual demeanor, it was a miracle he hadn't tried flirting with Natasha. Watching her now, delivering punches that could obliterate a tank, he realized just how lucky he had been. One of those strikes on his body, and he'd be nothing more than a puddle of pulp.

It was terrifying—too terrifying. He knew he couldn't afford to offend this woman.

After a moment of thought, Tony spoke again, "Jarvis, do you think the armor could withstand an attack like that?"

"There is no doubt, sir. Based on calculations, the MK armor's outer shell would completely shatter after approximately thirty-five hits of this magnitude."

"In other words, I need to find stronger metal materials," Tony muttered, rubbing his chin.

"Yes, sir," Jarvis replied. "However, among the known materials in the database, the only metals capable of meeting these requirements are vibranium and adamantium alloy."

Tony sighed dramatically. "Ah, vibranium… practically impossible to find anymore. And adamantium alloy? That's a military synthetic. Luckily, I've already made some arrangements." He raised his wine glass and toasted to the air as if clinking glasses with a military official. "To partnerships," he quipped with a smirk.

This trip to California, specifically to recover the adamantium alloy synthesis formula, had been worthwhile. After Colonel William Stryker's military base was destroyed and the man himself killed, the formula for true adamantium was lost entirely. Fortunately, the military still retained the sub-grade adamantium formula. To obtain it, Tony had to cash in a few favors and offer some significant incentives.

But for Tony, it was worth the cost. The MK armor, enhanced with sub-grade adamantium alloy, would gain a substantial boost in defensive capability.

Even so, Tony knew that no matter how much the MK armor's defenses improved, it wouldn't be enough against monsters like Abomination—or Natasha, for that matter. Watching her on the screen, he marveled at her strength. She wasn't just powerful; she was a well-rounded, versatile warrior with unparalleled combat abilities. Compared to her, the MK armor still had a long way to go.

Fighting a monster like Abomination, Tony could rely on the MK armor's aerial capabilities to execute flexible, hit-and-run tactics. That confidence made the fight manageable. But Natasha? She was entirely different.

She wasn't a towering beast like Abomination—she was a human woman, yet her compact frame contained hundreds of tons of raw power. The sheer physical fitness required to sustain such strength was mind-boggling. Her explosive power, combined with extraordinary agility and jumping ability, was on another level.

At a certain height, if she launched herself with full force, her speed would be so overwhelming that Tony wouldn't even have time to react. By the time he processed her movement, she'd already be standing right in front of him.

And the result of that?

Death.

…

With this level of power and explosive speed, the only thing MK armor can rely on is the artificial intelligence's calculation speed.

Originally, the flexibility and flight capabilities of MK armor were significant advantages. However, Natasha casually launched an attack from a distance with just a finger. It was something unprecedented and carried sharp attributes—powerful enough to nearly split a shopping mall in half. This demonstrated that the MK armor's superior attributes had been substantially diminished.

What's more, Tony wasn't even sure if Natasha could fly. After all, there are plenty of individuals capable of flight now.

Tony's concerns weren't targeted at Natasha specifically. He simply believed that someone, eventually, would become an enemy. Preparing for a rainy day had become second nature to him. Through all his experiences, Tony had developed a habit: if something or someone posed a certain level of danger, or had the potential to threaten him, he instinctively wanted to devise countermeasures.

He might never use the anti-series armors he created, but he needed to have them. Ownership and usage are two entirely different concepts—similar to how major powers treated nuclear weapons in the past.

In addition to these headaches for Tony, the most troublesome issue is the organization behind Natasha. It's like a bottomless ocean—impossible to investigate or trace its members. Even with SHIELD's combined resources, they haven't been able to uncover the slightest lead.

So far, only two members of the organization have been revealed: Natasha and Yelena. There's also a man known only by a facial sketch, whose existence is even more mysterious and unnerving.

According to reports from Kingpin and Bloody Mary, this mysterious figure seems to wield a kind of spiritual power. With just a single burst of it, he nearly toppled the entire Kingpin Building. The sheer power and destructive potential make him a terrifying risk.

The true danger lies in the unknown—an uncontrollable factor. No one knows the full extent of his strength or how to counter him effectively. Judging by Natasha's performance in combat today, the organization's threat level must be reassessed and significantly raised.

"I think we need more than just better defenses," Tony mused. "We also have to increase output power. With her speed, we need to react faster and execute instant counterattacks."

"Sir, with the current Ark reactor module, increasing the output power will deplete energy reserves much faster, drastically reducing continuous combat time," JARVIS replied.

"Then we need a new energy module," Tony said, lightly touching the Ark reactor embedded in his chest.

The current module was already taking a toll on his body, its life-eroding effects worsening by the day. He had scoured the periodic table, searching for a cleaner, more efficient element to create a better energy source. But it wasn't a simple task—at least, not one he could solve yet.

Tony turned to look at Pepper, who was nervously watching the big TV screen. His eyes flickered with unease.

Boom!

A deafening explosion rang out as Natasha delivered a devastating punch. Her fist struck Abomination's cheek with terrifying force, causing the hulking figure to stagger back several steps. Seizing the moment, Natasha pressed her advantage, unleashing another punch. The sheer force displaced the air around her, creating a crackling, explosive sound.

However, Abomination roared and managed to brace himself, forcibly halting her momentum. He raised his massive hand to block the incoming strike.

Bang!

The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward from his palm, splitting the ground beneath them with a thunderous crack. Turbulent air surged in all directions, carrying debris, shattered vehicles, and the remnants of smoldering fires along with it.

"Girl, are you having fun yet?" Abomination growled, his ferocious face twisting into a menacing grin as he faced Natasha head-on.

By this point, the entire block had been reduced to ruins. The buildings lining both sides of the street had been shaken to their foundations and crumbled under the relentless force. The ground was riddled with deep cracks and jagged pits, as though the area had been struck by a barrage of missiles.

The police and bystanders who had been spectating from a distance had long since fled. Had they stayed, they would undoubtedly have been caught in the chaos.

The only ones who remained relatively close were Hulk, observing the battle from nearby; Bloody Mary; and Peter Parker, who stood silently in a hood, his face obscured, his thoughts unreadable.

Facing the grotesque and ferocious visage of Abomination, Natasha raised a slender eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing across her face. "You're tougher than I expected," she said calmly. "But that's fine—it makes you a better target."

"Target? Who do you think you are, you foul woman?" Abomination roared, his massive hands lunging forward in an attempt to grab Natasha's arm. But Natasha reacted swiftly, pulling back just in time.

Abomination, equally quick, clenched his fist and swung with all his might.

Unfortunately, the strike hit nothing but air. Natasha's figure had vanished.

She reappeared like a ghost more than ten meters away, her stance relaxed and her gaze steady. Seeing this, Abomination trembled with rage, his frustration and helplessness boiling over.

Since his mutation, he had believed himself to be the strongest warrior in the world, unstoppable and unparalleled. But this woman shattered his delusion. From the very start, she had dominated him completely. Just as she said, he was nothing more than a slow-moving target, taking hit after hit.

Every time he attempted a counterattack, she evaded effortlessly—sometimes even using his movements against him to launch yet another round of brutal assaults.

Abomination felt the crushing reality of the situation: he couldn't overpower her strength, he couldn't match her speed, and even his combat skills were completely outclassed.

He was at a disadvantage in every way.

He hated himself—hated the numbness creeping over him, hated that he didn't know how to win. All he could do was flail helplessly, consumed by rage and frustration.

But after his fury subsided, a sliver of reason seeped in, cooling his anger. Deep down, he had to admit the truth, no matter how much it stung: he was no match for this "foul woman."

Countless punches had rained down on him, leaving his bones aching and on the verge of breaking. His pride screamed for vengeance, but Abomination decided he needed a different approach.

A flicker of cunning lit up his eyes as his gaze shifted past Natasha, toward the crowd and police gathered at the far end of the street.

With a sudden movement, he stepped forward. As he passed a large, abandoned truck parked by the roadside, he reached out and grabbed it with both hands.

Letting out a low growl, he twisted his body and hurled the truck with all his might.

Bang!!

The truck soared into the sky, spinning end over end. Its trajectory was clear—it was heading directly toward the people and police gathered at the intersection behind Natasha.

…

After hurling the truck, Abomination didn't hesitate. He turned and leaped high into the sky.

Yes, driven by fear, he chose to flee.

The thrown truck was a deliberate distraction, meant to draw the attention of that "foul woman." As Abomination soared hundreds of meters into the air, he couldn't resist glancing back through the roaring wind.

That single look almost made his heart stop.

At some point, Natasha had appeared behind him, her figure poised effortlessly in mid-air. Her beautiful, delicate face bore a playful, almost mocking expression, and the hem of her windbreaker fluttered in the rushing wind.

"Hey, good evening, Mr. Abomination. Are we competing to see who can jump higher? We're not done playing yet," she teased, her tone light and mischievous.

"This is impossible~~~!" Abomination screamed in disbelief.

"Oh, it's very possible," Natasha replied softly.

With a graceful twist of her body in mid-air, Natasha positioned herself and unleashed a powerful kick with her right foot, slamming it into Abomination's back with all her strength.

The terrifying speed and explosive power of Natasha's kick left Abomination unable to respond in midair. He could only watch helplessly as the strike landed squarely on his back.

Boom!

The immense, crushing force sent Abomination hurtling toward the ground like a meteorite, colliding with a towering building below.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

In an instant, Abomination smashed through the building, crashing through each floor one by one. Glass shards and debris exploded outward as he descended, until he finally hit the ground with a resounding impact that shook the earth itself.

Dust and rubble were swept into the air by the shockwave, and fragments of shattered glass flew in all directions. The once-towering building groaned under the strain before it completely collapsed, disintegrating into a heap of ruins that buried Abomination beneath it.

Meanwhile, Natasha descended gracefully from midair, landing lightly atop a slightly bent streetlamp on the street.

She turned her gaze toward the distance, where the large truck Abomination had hurled earlier had been split in half. Its shattered remains lay on either side of the road, about ten meters away from the crowd at the intersection.

Peter Parker, who had been observing the battle, now stood near the crowd. He had clearly rushed forward, intending to shield the people from the incoming truck. However, Natasha had preemptively dealt with the threat, slicing the vehicle cleanly in two with a flying slash, rendering Peter's efforts unnecessary.

This quick thinking and decisive action earned Natasha's quiet admiration. After sparing Peter a glance, she turned her attention back to the ruins ahead, watching the dust and smoke that shrouded the aftermath of her attack.

"It's almost over, but if you keep playing, you'll regret it."

Unwilling to waste more time, Natasha hopped down from the streetlamp with a light step. Moving gracefully, she extended her index finger and made a small, deliberate motion downward.

Boom!!

A terrifying blue slash of energy erupted, carving through the ruins in front of her. It created a clear passage, just wide enough for one person to walk through. At the end of the newly formed path, amidst the rubble, lay a massive figure sprawled on the ground, motionless and uncertain if alive or dead.

Under the watchful eyes of onlookers, Natasha strode confidently toward the figure. Reaching him, she extended her foot and nudged the Abomination's massive body with her toes. With the faintest push, she flipped him over, the movement accompanied by a dull, cracking sound.

Abomination's face twisted in pain as he let out guttural, low growls. Natasha's earlier kick had landed with surgical precision, fracturing the bones in his back. These were critical structural supports for his body's movement, and their breakage left him unable to control his limbs. Simply put, Abomination was now in a temporary vegetative state.

Even with his formidable self-healing ability, it would take time for him to recover.

"Still conscious, huh? I underestimated your resilience," Natasha murmured softly. Then, tapping her earpiece, she spoke: "Clarice, I need a portal."

"Got it, Sister Natasha," came the cheerful reply from Clarice.

A moment later, the air behind Natasha shimmered and warped, as though pierced by an invisible dagger. The distortion grew, tearing open into a swirling portal bathed in a soft purple glow. It radiated with the shimmer of endless starlight.

Through the portal, the faint outline of an empty platform was visible on the other side.

Natasha's right foot lightly pushed against Abomination's body, sending it slightly airborne. With a swift motion, she delivered a sideways kick to his chest.

Bang!

Abomination's massive frame was launched through the portal, disappearing into its swirling light. On the other side, his body crashed onto the platform with a thunderous impact.

The portal shimmered briefly before closing. Natasha gave a satisfied nod and then turned, walking gracefully toward Hulk.

When she reached him, Hulk, to her surprise, obediently crouched down, lowering himself to her eye level before she could even speak.

Natasha blinked in momentary surprise before smiling. "Do you want to come with me, Hulk?"

"Hulk," he replied without hesitation, nodding eagerly after calling his own name.

For Hulk, Natasha was one of the few people in the world who treated him with kindness. Her invitation needed no second thought. He didn't hesitate at all—not because of romantic love, but out of a deep bond of friendship and dependence.

Hulk craved connection, and Natasha had become someone he trusted and admired.

Natasha wasn't surprised by his response. She had successfully earned his trust and friendship. She even intended to take Hulk with her. But not everyone was pleased about this development.

General Ross, who had been observing from a distance, was far from happy. Seeing Abomination disappear into the mysterious portal and Natasha reappear—this time seemingly "kidnapping" Hulk—Ross acted quickly.

"Lower the helicopter!" he barked.

At the same time, a large contingent of Ross's soldiers had already surrounded the area. However, knowing the immense power of Natasha and Abomination, Ross had refrained from involving his men directly in the earlier fight.

As the situation entered its final stage, General Ross immediately ordered his soldiers to move into the neighborhood.

In other words, Ross intended to leverage the authority and reputation of the U.S. military to strengthen his bargaining position.

With this added support, Ross exited the helicopter, accompanied by a small group of soldiers and Betty, and began walking toward Natasha and Hulk.

"Apologies, ma'am," Ross said in a firm tone, his expression stern but controlled. "We appreciate your service to the people of New York and the military, but I'm going to have to ask you to hand over both the Abomination and the Hulk."

Heavily armed soldiers surrounded the area, their presence creating a tense atmosphere. Meanwhile, several helicopters hovered overhead, their spotlights piercing through the night to illuminate the confrontation below, casting bright, focused beams on Natasha, Hulk, and Ross.

…

Perhaps it was because of his position of power, his personality, or his confidence in the military support behind him, but General Ross continued to speak forcefully, even after witnessing Natasha's formidable strength with his own eyes.

This amused Natasha.

She had a good temper—or at least, she wasn't irritated by General Ross's tone. To her, his posture came across more like that of an amusing clown.

Natasha glanced around at the large group of soldiers, their guns trained on her. The sight reminded Hulk of his own experience of being hunted by so many people and weapons, and a fierce light flickered in his eyes.

But because of Natasha, he refrained from choosing to lash out in a violent rampage.

Natasha shifted her gaze to Ross and the worried woman standing beside him. Tilting her head slightly, she spoke in a calm tone:

"I admire your character, General Ross, judging by your attitude toward me. Even now, you remain steadfast. Your military career has clearly forged a strong, iron-blooded temperament."

She continued, "You possess enough tenacity and conviction to face any situation, and as a result, the soldiers under your command seem to reflect those same qualities."

"But I'm always tough and would never find myself in your position. So, is that acceptable?"

"Or is it just habitual arrogance?"

"Maybe both."

"It's not about that, ma'am. I need you to hand over the Abomination, and we have to take the Hulk. They're military matters," Ross said, attempting to interrupt Natasha, only to be interrupted more forcefully by her.

"There's no need to put on an act, General Ross. As a spy, I've mastered the art of reading expressions and understanding psychology. Now, I can also sense specific emotions."

She continued sharply, "For instance, your soldiers are extremely nervous. And you—despite your tough exterior—are harboring a nervous heart at this very moment."

Her words cut through the tension, making Ross's face darken as he glared at her.

"Madam, you must realize that your actions here are a direct provocation of the U.S. military."

"Frankly, I don't care about your American military," Natasha replied coldly. "If you're relying on these soldiers, then—"

Before she could finish, her bright eyes turned piercing. In an instant, a terrifying and overwhelming force of sheer dominance erupted from her, radiating outwards in a red wave. It swept through the area, striking like a tempest.

Under this immense pressure, every soldier present froze. Their eyes went blank, and one by one, they collapsed to the ground like cut straw, completely unconscious.

In the aftermath of her display, only a handful of individuals near Natasha remained unaffected by the wave of dominance.

Ross, overwhelmed by the sheer power, stood in shock, watching helplessly as his soldiers lay scattered and incapacitated.

Betty and Hulk looked on, visibly shaken, while Bloody Mary gazed at Natasha with an expression of fanatical admiration.

This girl was clearly recalling the man she had longed for that night in the Kingpin Building, demonstrating his overwhelming, commanding power in the same way.

"Is this a demonstration? Or a provocation against the U.S. military? Are you planning to start a war with us?" General Ross asked, his voice deep, as he struggled to suppress the turmoil brewing in his heart.

Despite his unease, Ross refused to back down, still attempting to appeal to the authority of the United States. However, to Natasha, his words came off as crude and clumsy.

"You're really irritating," Natasha said bluntly, stepping closer to Ross. "If you weren't Bruce Banner's father-in-law, I might not kill you outright, but you'd certainly end up a vegetable."

Though she was slightly shorter than Ross, Natasha's aura was commanding, radiating the majesty of a ruler and utterly eclipsing his presence. Even Ross, staring at the woman before him, couldn't suppress the growing tension in his heart.

"I'll say this only once," Natasha continued, her voice calm but laced with authority. "I have no interest in your army or your country. The only reason I'm here is because your resources are substantial enough to provide me with the enjoyment I seek. And for that, I've paid my dues. But—"

She paused, her gaze sharpening.

"You shouldn't expect me to be like the average American, bowing down obediently to your so-called free will."

"There are few people who can influence my will—my family among them. But you? You don't make the cut. Believe me, General, you don't want to provoke me, and certainly not the family behind me."

Her tone grew colder as she added, "Here's a piece of advice for you: if you ever think of pursuing us or harboring malicious intentions, you'd better first consider whether you can endure the consequences of our wrath. If you think you can conceal your schemes from us, by all means, try. But don't expect to walk away unscathed."

Natasha's words were direct, cold, and uncompromising, laced with subtle double meanings. They weren't just directed at Ross—they were a declaration to the entire United States, perhaps even to the world, delivered through him.

The sheer weight of her words left Ross stunned. He was so shocked that, for a moment, he couldn't find anything to say.

What unsettled him the most, however, was the creeping realization that this woman might not be bluffing. The unwavering confidence in her eyes told him as much.

In Canada, before coming here, she had displayed an incomprehensible level of power, effortlessly crushing the Abomination—a being he had regarded as one of the most formidable superweapons.

Her destructive capabilities were undeniable, with visible damage to the terrain standing as a testament to her might.

Considering the strength she had shown so far, Ross couldn't think of a single viable way to counter her. Large-scale tactical offensives? Laughable. The hundreds of soldiers present had been incapacitated without even meeting her gaze.

What was the range of her abilities? What was their upper limit? He had no answers.

Her reaction speed, explosive strength, and the potential for devastating long-range attacks made even conventional warfare seem pointless. That left only unconventional measures.

Biochemical weapons? Nuclear strikes?

But deploying those came with catastrophic consequences. The "one thousand wounds to the enemy, two thousand to oneself" scenario was unavoidable. And to make matters worse, she seemed capable of opening portals.

If they resorted to launching a nuclear strike and she simply escaped through a portal, leaving them to face the fallout alone, it would be nothing short of devastating.

And this was just Natasha. Her words suggested that there was a family backing her—an implication far more terrifying.

They are all such monsters. No wonder she is so confident and capable of directly disregarding the most powerful country in the world—the United States.

Upon realizing this, Ross understood that his plan was doomed to fail.

…

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